Bobi Wine, Police and Electoral Commission agree to schedule new Presidential consultation meetings
Following blocked and interrupted presidential consultation meetings by Uganda Police, the Kyadondo East legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is organising new consultation meetings schedules.
This comes after a meeting with Electoral Commission (EC) officials and Police Officers on Thursday, 9th, 2020 at EC headquarters in Kampala.
Bobi Wine had gone to meet EC officials to give him answers following his blocked consultation meetings despite fulfilling all the necessary guidelines.
In a media briefing held on Thursday evening after the meeting with EC officials and the Police at the People Power Offices in Kamwokya, Bobi Wine said that Police conceded to have acted illegally during People Power’s consultation meetings and promised to work within the law.
“We put to Police all the violations they have been involved in these past few days and demanded that they are put to an end. Indeed, they conceded to having acted outside the law on many issues,” Bobi Wine said.
Tweet
“In a few days, we shall issue a new schedule of consultations and make it public. We hope that Police will stick by the commitments they have made in the meeting,” Bobi Wine added.
Tweet
Police admitted they had misinterpreted some sections of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and the Presidential Elections Act.
Both Police and Bobi Wine then agreed to harmonise their relationship and positions to allow Bobi Wine to hold his consultation meetings freely.
However, Bobi Wine requested EC to make sure that all ways are open for every political player who will wish to wear a particular coloured outfit ahead of the 2021 General elections.
The EC blamed Police for misreading provisions of the Public Order Management Act when they demanded unreasonable requirements that include sniffer dogs, firefighters and risk assessment report from the singer turned politician before okaying his meeting.
And Police admitted their mistake and said that it’s their responsibility to offer such kind of security to any gathering.
Police, however, agreed to have a meeting with the People Power leader and other aspirants to agree on certain issues.
Then Bobi Wine who admitted carrying out illegal processions, promised that People Power will not engage in any procession during their presidential consultation meeting though it’s not stated anywhere in the law.
“We have not been intending to carry out processions, people come waving to us and we wave back. We are going to stop this even when we know that the law is not clear in this.”
Tweet
After the meeting, EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama informed journalists that the issue between Police and Bobi Wine was a miscommunication, lack of coordination and corporation which the two parties need to address.
“We have sent the aspirant and Police to go and talk between themselves and make sure there is harmony in the electoral process. Police on its part have to ensure that there is orderliness. This can come when the two sides cooperate and work together,” Byabakama said.
Tweet
Police blocked Bobi Wine arranged presidential consultation meetings that kicked off on Monday 6th, January at his home constituency Kyadondo East at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza, after obtaining clearance from the EC to begin his consultations.
Other blocked meetings by Police included Gulu District meeting on Tuesday and Lira District meeting on Wednesday. Police on Wednesday bundled Bobi Wine out of Lira and dumped him at Karuma bridge and later ordered him to return to Kampala.
In the event, Bobi Wine together with other People Power leaders faced arrests and detention after Police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds that had gathered to join him.
In the Police statement released by the Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga indicated that the People Power leader had violated some Public Order Management Act provisions as regards to public meetings.
Other arranged presidential consultation meeting in Adjumani on Jan 9, Yumbe Jan 10, Arua Jan 11 and Zombo Jan 12 were cancelled following Police’s interruption.
